Jonah JacobsWhen your expenses exceed your income, there are certain bills you can put on the back burner, such as those from credit card companies. Sure, you’ll rack up some fees, but credit card bills aren’t as essential as paying your utilities. Why? Because if you don’t pay your utility bills over time, you’ll lose service. And most families will be hard-pressed to live without electricity or water.
Since utility costs are getting higher, many families are struggling to pay their bills on time. If you are one of them, here are some places where you can turn for help.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Here’s a program you should look into if you’re having trouble paying your utility bills on a regular basis. While LIHEAP won’t pay your entire electricity bill, it can cover the heating and cooling components, which make up most of your monthly expenses. Beyond covering those two costs, LIHEAP also offers repairs and replacements for heating and cooling equipment, plus assistance with making your home more energy-efficient to lower future bills.
While all of that sounds great, you’re probably wondering how LIHEAP can help now if your bill is past due. The program offers help when your service has been shut off in some situations. Get that assistance to get up and running again, then use LIHEAP in the future to keep those utility costs low and manageable.
211
Are you having trouble beyond just a past-due utility bill? Then calling 211 may be your best bet, as this service offers assistance with housing, food, child care, healthcare, and more.
211 has a team of operators that can connect you to organizations in your area that specialize in your specific needs. For instance, if you need utility bill assistance, the 211 operator can find which local organization helps with electricity or water bills. You can then contact that organization to maintain your service or even get your past-due bill paid.
Depending on where you live, 211 may refer you to the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Ministry, Vincent de Paul Society, etc., so you can get the help you need.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Like 211, TANF is a resource that can help with much more than just utility assistance. Yes, they may help with your costly utility bills so you can maintain electricity and water, but they may also help you with food, housing, child care, and more so you can stay on your feet and eventually become financially independent.
Community Action Agency
The Community Action Partnership (CAP) has helped low-income families pay bills for over five decades. To see if you could get the same assistance, go here to find your local Community Action Agency.
Your Utility Provider
Sometimes all it takes to fix your utility issues is a call to your provider. Unlike the other resources above, they probably won’t pay your past-due bill. However, they could offer a payment plan that fits your budget and prevents disconnection so you can buy some much-needed time to fix your finances.
